Secondary School

It has been an action-packed week in Secondary School as we head into the mid-term break. This week, Wilson House has been on duty, and it began with an excellent assembly on Monday. Our student leaders chose the theme of courage for the assembly and spoke eloquently about their experiences trying new things and showing up even when the “going gets tough”. They also spoke of the need for courage in relationships. I am often so impressed listening to our young people speak and I am impressed with the role models that we have at Great Southern Grammar. 

We also spoke at the assembly about one of the things that GSG offers students, which is the chance for students to complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award. The school funds up to 50 students, from the time they turn 14, to undertake their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, which is a fantastic opportunity for students to uncover their purpose, passion, and place in the world by participating in a breath of cocurricular pursuits.  The Duke of Edinburgh is an internationally recognised award that helps open doors for students as they step out into the world. Each level of the award, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, is made up of four sections, which include Physical Recreation, Skills, Voluntary Service, and Adventurous Journey. Just by attending a school like GSG, our students are well placed to achieve their Bronze award through our sports programme, music (as an example), service learning, and camps. We hope that they are then inspired to push themselves a little bit further to achieve Silver and Gold. If parents have any questions, Mrs O’Donnell is well-placed to answer them. The Duke of Edinburgh Award and the structure of many like-minded schools are born out of theories from Kurt Hahn. I encourage parents and students from Year Nine and up to look into it. 

We recently had our Years Seven to Nine Interhouse Swimming Carnival, and next week, we have our Years Ten to Twelve Carnival. These are fantastic celebrations, not just of physical feats but also of our wonderful House culture, led by our Heads of House and homeroom teachers.

If families have the chance to get down to the Albany Leisure Aquatic Centre next Wednesday, they are a sight to behold. 

This week, we also launched our Year Seven and Year Nine camps to Dwellingup and Margaret River, respectively. The students will undertake a host of challenging and fun-filled activities in stunning settings, and I am sure that they will learn a lot about themselves, about each other, and about our great outdoors. I look forward to seeing the pictures and hearing the stories! 

I wish families all the best over the long weekend.  

Mr Jordan Owenell | Deputy Principal - Head of Secondary